Messi Shadows Continues to Hurt Barcelona.

It appears that Barcelona hasnt been able to get over the exit of Messi, as they continue to struggle since the beginning of the season.

Coming from a 3 nil defeat in the hands of Bayern Munich, on Monday night at the Camp Nou, it took a late Ronald Araujo goal to secure Barcelona a draw against struggling Granada.

Ronald Koeman’s men were eager to avenge their 3-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League last week.

Granada were searching for their first win of the season, having lost two and drawn two of their previous four games.

However, the LaLiga heavyweights got off to the worst possible start, as Granada scored after only two minutes, with Domingos Duarte nodding in a cross from Escudero for his first goal of the season.

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With chances in the box scarce, Sergi Roberto came dangerously close to breaking the deadlock with a snap shot from the edge of the box that drifted just wide of the crossbar.

That proved to be the trend for Koeman’s side for the remainder of the first half, and the Dutch tactician was forced to make a change before the break, with the young Alex Balde forced to withdraw due to injury and replaced by Oscar Mingueza.

Barcelona had a more aggressive approach in the second half, with Sergino Dest and Memphis Depay combining before the latter’s goal-bound shot was blocked in the box.

With Barcelona struggling to score the opening goal, Philippe Coutinho was replaced by 17-year-old Gavi, while Riqui Puig and Gerard Pique were introduced on 73 minutes.

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Araujo would go on to make an impact 10 minutes later with a close-range header from Gavi’s chipped cross in the area, but the hosts were unable to grab another as the spoils were split.

As a result of the tie, Barcelona is now in seventh place with eight points, while Granada is in seventeenth place with three points.